May 2008

May 27, 2008

During a concert at Red Rocks, I recently learned about a no dairy, no soy, no rice "ice cream", cleverly called Hemp I Scream. No, not made up. Manufactured by Boulder based Original Sources, the frozen snack is available at Whole Foods, Vitamin Cottage, Wild Oats, indie markets in the West and Midwest and concerts at Red Rocks. The conventional ice cream alternative is a combo of organic hemp milk and crunchy oatmeal hemp cookies. Apparently, the milk can be extracted from hemp seeds similar to how soy milk is produced. Hemp as a health food is growing in popularity in the US. The highs (yes, pun intended): surprisingly tasty, healthy source of EFAs, protein and fibers, omega fatty acids and an alternative for lactose intolerants or those opposed to dairy. Lows: No it's not ice cream but if anything, quite the healthy conversation starter.

"Caterpillar: By the way, I have a few more helpful hints. One side will make you grow taller... Alice: One side of what? Caterpillar: ...and the other side will make you grow shorter. Alice: The other side of what? Caterpillar: THE MUSHROOM, OF COURSE!" --Alice in Wonderland

It is widely believed that Lewis Carroll, of Alice in Wonderland fame, penned Alice’s telling symptoms of perceptional size changes after experimenting with toxic mushrooms. What Carroll probably didn’t know at the time, is that BOTH sides of wild non-toxic mushrooms may actually make you grow taller. These earthy fungal plants historically coveted for their deep flavor, are now starting to be valued for the nutrional punch that they provide. In fact, these fat-free and cholesterol-free plants are high in protein and vitamin B12, providing a vegetarian alternative for someone look to up their protein intake. Most of the nearly 38,000 species of wild mushrooms are also a good source of potassium and phosphorus -- minerals essential for controlling blood pressure, and building strong bones. Undoubtedly, mushrooms bring a wealth of nutrition and flavor to any dish, and are robust enough to be a dish themselves.

Purchasing wild mushrooms is easier than you may think. Most common grocery stores carry several wild mushroom varieties right next to your basic button mushrooms. Mushrooms such as portabella, king trumpet, white beech, maitake, and shitake are all commonly available at most grocery stores. While foraging out into the wilderness on a great mushroom expedition may sound like a fun adventure, it is important that you never consume wild mushrooms without expert identification. In gathering up your mushrooms (whether on an expedition to the forest or grocery store) consider these helpful hints before cooking or consuming.

• Look for evenly colored firm mushrooms – avoid any with dark spots or mushy areas• Store in a refrigerator sealed or covered with a clean dry paper towel• To clean mushrooms, brush them lightly with a damp paper towel – never soak mushrooms in water – they will become soggy.• Depending on the mushroom you may want to remove the stems – chanterelles, morels, porcini, and matusiake all have edible stems. Shitake stems are actually dry and woody and should be removed from the cap.

EAT UPOnce duly prepared, the real fun begins. Mushrooms offer unlimited possibilities and can be served as a main course or as an accompaniment to a variety of dishes.

Serve mushrooms in frittatas, omelets, pastas, with meats, in sandwiches, as burgers, or in Asian inspired dishes. Listed below are some of the Foodie Corner’s favorite mushroom recipes. Eat up and enjoy!

"I am a brown paper bag. More than likely, I'll end up under your kitchen sink with a few of my friends. I might get cut up and wrapped around a text book. Or just stuck under something messy. It would be nice if someone made me into a kite. I'd like to be a kite."--a brown paper bag from Central Market

Hearing "paper or plastic?" next time you go to pick up a pint of ice cream and Us Weekly may be a thing of the past, as grocery stores get savvy about cutting down on plastic bags. According to People Magazine's ecofashion special, "Of the 4,450,000 tons of plastic bags and wraps that were thrown away in 2005, only 5.2% were recycled according to the EPA. Many of the rest ended up as litter on the streets or debris in the ocean." To do their part, stores such as Whole Foods Market with its Bring Your Own Bag campaign have gone to a strict no plastic bag policy. So, need a cute, fun reusable tote before you can say Ed Begley Jr? As the ecofashion industry booms, there's no shortage of chic totes:

"Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions." --Pablo Picasso

While Picasso is perhaps universally acclaimed for his somber blue period, it is the artwork of his pink period, the period of time where he experienced joy and love, most cherished by the Pink Rickshaw. In honor of the official launch of the Pink Rickshaw, and in celebration of the color of tranquil happiness, the Foodie Corner is hosting a Pink Party. Interested in throwing a Pink Party of your own? Try these essential tips and recipe, to throw a party that is sure to bring all of your guests plenty of love and joy.

Ambience is key – decorate your space with pink accent pieces, such as candles, floral arrangements, or pink glassware. Remember, don’t overdue the pink, you want your space to look sophisticated and elegant, not to be confused with a Barbie Birthday Bash. Try including a complimentary color (not pastel) to help the pink pieces pop

In the age of monotonous e-vites, make a statement and send out interesting and beautiful invitations.

Provide your guests with delicious and easy-to-eat food, with at least one standout pink item. Try these pink popsicle cupcakes from Bakerella for a perfect sweet treat. They are made with chocolate or red velvet cake and dipped in chocolate before decorating with fun pink frosting and sprinkles. These bites can be made in advance, and will be the talk of the party.

Drink up – provide one key pink cocktail to refresh and invigorate your guests. Domino Magazine features a refreshing Nutria Grapefruit Cocktail composed of grapefruit and lime juice, along with your choice of Vodka and sugar. To elevate this drink to the next level of sophistication lightly sprinkle the drink with grated fresh ginger.

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